Obituary of Camila Mercado Bermudez

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, surrounded by the love of her family, Camila Mercado Bermudez, eighty-four years old, passed on to heaven after a year-long fight with an extended illness.

The daughter of Trinidad Mercado and Elvira Bermudez-Gonzalez and her amazing stepdad, Manuel Gonzalez, she was born on August 4, 1939 in Utuado, Puerto Rico. As a young teenager she moved to the city of Vineland and has ever since been a mainstay in the community, most notably a pioneer of her faith walk as a longtime member of 64 years at Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal M.L. Vida de Fe, on Main Road in Vineland. During her 64 years as a member of the church, she served and planted seeds of faith to her friends and family members as she continuously shared her message of faith. She wanted every soul to know who her Lord and Savior was and how much Jesus Christ loved them. She served in the Women’s Ministry as a greeter, prayer warrior, food pantry, and much more. 

Camila dedicated 25+ years of her life as a seamstress at Crown Clothing and DeRossi & Son Co. of Vineland, New Jersey.  She was also an incredible foster mother for over 30+ years with the Division of Child Protection Services. She has made a lifelong connection with three of the children who currently stay connected with her at heart with home visits and many phone calls (Ludi, Evelyn and Manny Matias).  Camila loved to garden, cook, read, thrift shop, but mostly loved spending time with family, dining, laughing, and celebrating all the holidays together.  She always welcomed friends and family into her home with a warm hug and a delicious meal. 

Born with an adventurous spirit, she loved to travel whether local or far to Puerto Rico, Cape May, Smithville, and many National State Parks. She will be dearly missed by her siblings, Norma I. Mercado Bermudez (Emeterio), Raymond Mercado (Blanca), Carmen Gonzalez, Iris M. Gonzalez, Louis A. Gonzalez II (Linda), Manuel Gonzalez, Jr. (Yolanda) and Abraham Gonzalez (Lissette).  Additionally she will be missed by many nieces and nephews, Melinda Maldonado (Tito), Dennis Bermudez, Elizabeth Cruz (Eliezer), Obed Bermudez (Marilyn), Miriam Synder, Ruthy Stevens, Judy Bermudez, Joel Bermudez, Ismael Bermudez, Ezekiel Bermudez (Norma), Emeterio Bermudez, Jr. (Migdalia), Elias Bermudez, Timothy Gonzalez (Faith), Louis Gonzalez III, Christina Gonzalez (Joe), Jasmine Rodriguez (Marcos), Camila Collazo, Migdalia Mercado, Demarie Cordero (Hector), Noami Dejesus, Elvira Maldonado, Janet Lebron, Olga Harmon, Rebecca Kapis, Rosemary Rivas, Lydia Baez, Miguel Rivas, Manny Oropeza (Wendy), Leanna Gonzalez, Raymond Mercado Jr., and Diana Mercado. She also leaves many great nieces and nephews who are her little angels. 

Camila was predeceased by her parents, Manuel and Elvira Gonzalez; and her biological father, Trinidad Mercado. Camila was a loyal daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend and mother to many. She gave generously of her time and love. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.  

Relatives and friends will be received on Friday, March 24, 2023 from 10:00am until 11:00am at Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal Vida de Fe, 1115 S. Main Road, Vineland. A funeral service will follow at 11:00am. Interment will be held in Siloam Cemetery, 550 N. Valley Ave., Vineland. Arrangements are by DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home, 2755 S. Lincoln Ave., Vineland.